The Key for Startups: Make No Small Plans

You’ve got a great idea — but how do you turn it into a winning business? On this podcast, Luke Fox and Jef Graham will show you how to be a successful startup CEO  offering insights for first-time company leaders surrounding products, personal leadership, people management, key metrics, and more. It’s time to get to work.

 

Startup CEOs have a full plate. There’s little time for activities that don’t have value. Measurement and focusing on the management cycle deliver tremendous value. Offering insights on these topics, The Startup CEO’s third episode, hosted by Luke Fox, included a new conversation with his mentor, Jef Graham. Graham is a four-time startup CEO and has a long career of executive leadership success.

“Facts always beat opinions. The demonstration of that is that CEOs should always have certain numbers at their fingertips—sales, cash raised, valuations, people, and data on your customers and market.” – Jef Graham

Graham began the chat with some quotes that are relevant, including making no small plans and to measure is to know. So, what are the metrics that matter the most? “Tech startups are all about invention and growth, so the top-line measure is the growth of customers and report orders,” he said.

Graham further noted that “cash is king in startup”; thus, the CEO must watch to ensure they don’t run out of it.

Knowing the numbers and the data are critical for CEO startups. “Facts always beat opinions. The demonstration of that is that CEOs should always have certain numbers at their fingertips—sales, cash raised, valuations, people, and data on your customers and market.” Graham shared.

Relating to the world of metrics is the management cycle. Graham described it as “a series of processes that form rhythmic patterns at annual, quarterly, monthly, and weekly intervals.” He then explained the different planning cycles for each. Annually, there are financial planning goals, long-term strategy, and salary and reviews. Monthly is forecasting orders and expenses.

The management cycle includes objective setting. “Set quarterly objectives. Measure results, not actions. Objectives shouldn’t be a job responsibly list but be tangible goals. Focus on five to 10 and ask yourself, ‘If I achieve these goals, would this be success?’ The answer should be yes,” Graham said.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @MarketScale
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

Stephanie Simon
Through the Storm with USMC Captain, Professional Boxer, and TrailBlazer, Stephanie Simon
March 7, 2025

Captain Stephanie Simon (USMC) is currently a professional boxer (2-0), a boxing instructor, and a Marine Corps reservist. She is the 2024 Olympic Trials Boxing Champion, 4x Elite National Boxing Champion, 3x National Collegiate Boxing Champion, and United States Marine Corps Boxing Hall of Famer. Stephanie Simon is originally from Atlanta, GA, grew up…

Read More
Lind
The DisruptED World of Manufacturing and Design at Lind with Anders Dellson
March 6, 2025

Electric surfboards are redefining water sports, merging high-performance engineering with artistry in product design. The industry, once niche, is now accelerating thanks to advancements in e-mobility and battery technology. With increasing consumer interest in high-end, sustainable recreational vehicles, companies like Lind are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. In fact, Lind’s electric surfboards boast…

Read More
verizon business assistant
Boost Customer Satisfaction with Verizon Business Assistant
March 6, 2025

Keeping customers happy is crucial for any business, but managing interactions can be overwhelming. Enter Verizon Business Assistant, an AI-powered service designed to streamline customer communication using a simple yet effective tool — text messages. Unlike traditional chatbots, Verizon Business Assistant learns the ins and outs of your business, answering top customer questions with speed…

Read More
Email Marketing
The Science of Email Success: Secrets to Higher Open and Conversion Rates
March 6, 2025

Email marketing is often underestimated, yet it remains one of the most powerful tools for businesses to engage with their audience. Research shows that for every $1 spent on email marketing, an average return of $42 is expected. However, many professionals misunderstand what email can truly accomplish and fail to harness its full potential….

Read More